1. Buying in bulk even without storage space
Americans love big-box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club, but many people don’t actually have the space to store 48 rolls of paper towels. The result? Overstuffed closets, basements filled with expired snacks, and freezers that barely shut. While bulk buying can save money per unit, it often encourages overbuying. That means wasted food and wasted dollars.
It’s especially counterintuitive in cities where people live in small apartments. Shoppers sometimes end up paying for extra storage units just to house their bulk goods. That extra cost cancels out most of the savings. The math doesn’t add up, but the allure of a bargain is hard to resist.
2. Spending hours coupon clipping
Couponing has become a cultural pastime in the U.S., with entire TV shows dedicated to it. But the time invested often outweighs the actual savings. Someone might spend hours sorting, cutting, and organizing only to save $5 on groceries. In an hourly wage calculation, that’s hardly worth it.
Even digital coupons can trap people in this cycle. Some retailers raise base prices just to make discounts look appealing. Shoppers think they’re saving when in reality they’re not. It’s more about the thrill of the hunt than the economics.
3. Paying extra for fast shipping they don’t need
With Amazon Prime and similar services, people now expect next-day delivery on almost everything. But often, the urgency is manufactured. Few people really need socks or batteries overnight. Yet they pay annual fees or added costs for the “convenience.”
That mindset leads to overspending and unnecessary carbon costs, too. Standard shipping, often free, would work just fine in most cases. But Americans have grown accustomed to instant gratification. It’s a habit that benefits the retailer more than the customer.
4. Treating gift cards like cash (and then losing them)
Gift cards are a $170+ billion industry in the U.S., but an estimated $15 billion goes unused each year. Cards get misplaced, forgotten in drawers, or expire. Retailers bank on that “breakage” as pure profit. For the shopper, that’s literally money vanishing.
Yet people keep buying them because they feel like easy, thoughtful gifts. The problem is, most recipients don’t spend the full balance, or they forget to use it entirely. The cycle repeats every holiday season. It’s essentially prepaying for something you might not even use.
5. Financing small purchases with buy now, pay later
“Buy now, pay later” services are exploding in popularity, especially among younger shoppers. It feels harmless to split a $60 purchase into four payments of $15. But missed payments can rack up late fees and even ding your credit score. Suddenly that “affordable” sweater costs a lot more.
These services encourage overspending by making everything look bite-sized. Instead of thinking about total cost, people focus on tiny installments. It’s a psychological trick that works against financial well-being. In the end, the retailer makes more, while the shopper loses control.
6. Constantly upgrading smartphones
Americans replace their smartphones every two to three years on average. Often, the old phone still works perfectly fine. Carriers and tech companies market the latest features so aggressively that many feel behind if they don’t upgrade. That pressure adds up to hundreds, even thousands, over time.
The irony is that many people don’t even use the fancy features they’re upgrading for. Most texts, emails, and calls don’t require cutting-edge technology. It’s a habit fueled by status and marketing, not practicality. Economically, it’s one of the least rational shopping patterns around.
7. Buying bottled water when tap is safe
In most U.S. cities, tap water is regulated and safe to drink. Yet bottled water sales have overtaken soda as the most popular beverage category. That means Americans are paying for something they already have virtually for free. The environmental cost is just as staggering as the economic one.
Some justify bottled water by citing taste or convenience. But filters or reusable bottles solve those issues at a fraction of the price. Buying cases of water regularly is like subscribing to pay for air. It’s a habit rooted in perception rather than necessity.
8. Overspending on holiday décor
Each year, Americans spend billions on Halloween, Christmas, and other holiday decorations. Inflatable lawn figures, themed dinnerware, and seasonal lights fill garages and attics. The kicker? They’re only used for a few weeks out of the year. That’s a lot of money for very little use.
Retailers love this cycle because it drives annual spikes in spending. Consumers justify it as creating “memories” or keeping up with neighbors. But many decorations are cheap quality and don’t even last long. It’s an emotional purchase that rarely holds up financially.
9. Falling for “limited-time” sales that never end
Walk into almost any American retailer, and you’ll see a “sale” sign. But in many cases, the items are always marked down or rotated through constant promotions. Shoppers feel pressure to buy quickly so they don’t “miss out.” In reality, that deal will likely come back.
This habit makes people spend on things they don’t need, just to chase the sense of savings. It’s the classic false urgency tactic. Economically, shoppers are paying for something unnecessary while thinking they’re clever. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the retail playbook.
10. Using store credit cards for tiny discounts
At checkout, many retailers push their branded credit cards by offering a discount, usually 10–20% off that day’s purchase. Shoppers often sign up impulsively, thinking they’re scoring a deal. But those cards tend to carry extremely high interest rates. If you don’t pay off the balance immediately, that discount evaporates fast.
Even worse, too many credit accounts can hurt your credit score. A quick “yes” at the register can have long-term financial consequences. Retailers rely on this impulse behavior to make money. The savings look nice upfront, but they often cost more later.
11. Buying extended warranties on cheap electronics
Electronics stores love to upsell extended warranties. Shoppers buy them because they fear their gadget will break. But most warranties overlap with manufacturer coverage or credit card protections. On small electronics, the cost of the warranty often rivals the cost of replacement.
In many cases, it’s cheaper just to replace the item outright if it breaks. Retailers know this, but they sell warranties because the profit margin is huge. Shoppers, on the other hand, are paying for peace of mind they rarely use. It’s an emotional expense, not a rational one.
12. Treating shopping as entertainment
Malls and shopping centers aren’t just about buying things—they’re about spending time. Many Americans go shopping simply because they’re bored. That turns into browsing, which almost always leads to unnecessary purchases. It’s entertainment disguised as consumerism.
The problem is that it’s costly entertainment. Instead of a movie ticket or a walk in the park, people are leaving with bags of stuff they didn’t plan on buying. Retailers design stores to encourage this behavior. Over time, it drains wallets without providing lasting value.
This post 12 U.S. Habits Around Shopping That Make No Economic Sense was first published on American Charm.
